• The proposed Greenfield highway between Chennai and Salem has run into opposition from various farmer organisations.
• This is the latest in a series of protests against major projects in Tamil Nadu that include Kudankulam power plant and the Tuticorin copper plant.

What is the project about?

• Proposal - The proposed eight lane road is estimated to cost is Rs 9,106 crore, with a tentative Rs 415 crore for rehabilitation of the displaced people.

• It will run 277 Km and is slated to pass through Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts.
• The region is mostly agrarian with a few industrial zones and most of the land proposed to be usurped is fertile agricultural fields.   

• Why - There are three existing but twisty road routes between Chennai and Salem, two of which are already heavily trafficked, leading to abnormal delays.   
• Hence, Tamil Nadu CM Mr. Palaniswami is said to have written to the centre, suggested a highway that directly links the two cities and reduce fuel costs.

• A subsequent feasibility report noted that the project is expected to generate development and employment in the towns along the route.
• Hence, considering the business potential and other benefits, the centre is said to have approved the proposal and called it “Green Express Way Corridor”.
• Notably, government’s feasibility report states that extensive public consultations were done and suggestions were also invited in the design stage.                                  

Why are farmer organisations protesting?

• Contrary to the government’s claim, many farmer organisations claim that they were not consulted in finalising the project.
• Farmer leaders have asserted that these regions do three crops a year and destroying these highly fertile lands for a highway cannot be accepted.
• Also, the state that government’s promised maximum compensation in some regions is more than 10 times lower than the prevailing market rate.
• It is being felt that the government is taking unusual interest in rushing a project that is likely t affect the livelihood of over 1 lakh people.
• The protesters have planned multiple peaceful demonstrations against the project in stages.  

How has the government responded?

• The revenue department is engaging retired officers to complete the survey and kick off the project due to staff shortage in its ranks.
• Police have been arresting protest leaders, including Salem-based activist Piyush Manush and Valarmathi.
• Sources say at least 10 people are in judicial custody for mobilising people, and protest participants across villages are also being arrested.

What is the stand of the opposition DMK?

• Opposition leader M K Stalin has said that his party will launch strong protests if the government tries to implement projects using police and force.
• DMK has also moved a petition before the vigilance and anti-corruption wing, alleging that the CM has made malicious gains through the project’s tender.
• The allegation is that contracts running into crores of rupees were given to people closely related to the CM’s family at inflated costs.